Concerns from a downtown business owner about the negative effects of establishing a bus rapid transit highway through the heart of the downtown core.  At this point, does JTA really care?

JTA claims that they are planning a BRT system to respond to downtown's traffic needs in 2030, not today.  Here's an open and shut case to why Monroe Street is a superior alternative to anything JTA has considered so far for their BRT system.

Thursday morning, Downtown Vision hosted a meeting between Downtown Stakeholders and JTA officials, concerning Bus Rapid Transit.  As predicted, those in attendance got the chance to see some Fourth of July fireworks.  Here is a review, in question and answer format, of yesterday's heated discussion.

Like a bad rash, it just won't go away. The second round of public hearings for JTA's proposed downtown Bus Rapid Transit System was recently held and the environmental assessment results are of particular interest regarding BRT & Downtown. Take a look at the information and make up your mind for yourself.

Today, JTA will be hosting their second round of public dog and pony shows for the Downtown busway project. There will be two sessions held at the Main Library for the convenience of those who don't have day jobs. The first will be from 11am - 1pm and the second from 4pm - 6pm.

For those who will be able to witness what can potentially stunt downtown's grass roots revitalization efforts, here are ten questions Metro Jacksonville believes JTA officials need to answer.

In previous articles, we've discussed the difference between bus rapid transit and rail transit in urban environments.  We've also displayed evidence suggesting that bus dominated transitways in urban environments are more of a hinderance to stimulating retail, than a help.  Now, to illustrate the idea on the eve of JTA's upcoming BRT downtown workshops, Metro Jacksonville takes you on a photo tour of these two transit systems, showing their effect on Tampa's urban core.

On Monday, April 2, 2007, the consultants for JTA's Bus Rapid Transit system presented their plans for the downtown busway routes to the CPAC.  During this presentation, planners had attempted to prove that despite eliminating parallel parking spaces, restricting vehicular accessibility to downtown retailers, and introducing a massive streamlined network of city buses to pedestrian friendly downtown streets, Bus Rapid Transit would enhance and stimulate economic activity, not destroy it.

To drive their point home, consultants mentioned a couple of "successful" transit malls across the country to reduce the fears of those not too keen on their plan of converting Adams Street and the Bay Street Town Center into diesel exhaust pits.

Yesterday we touched on the potential negative effects of JTA's BRT plans for downtown.  For those who don't know, those plans include taking up a massive amount of parallel parking spaces on several major downtown corridors and putting bus lanes in their place.  Without a doubt, this is something that definately does not fall in line with the goals of working to turn downtown into a massive zone of vibrant pedestrian oriented activity.  Today, we share a photo tour of the affected areas.

At a recent public meeting held at the Main Library Downtown by the Jacksonville Transit Authority, members of MetroJacksonville.com's editorial board were able to meet, greet and ask questions about the controversial 'mass transit' plan currently being proposed by the Authority.